'X Factor' singer Niall Horan, who is part of boy band One Direction, reportedly has a crush on Rebecca Creighton from Belle Amie

The One Direction singer is said to have been growing close to the copper-haired beauty - who is part of the rival girl group - after they bonded over their Irish roots.

Rebecca's sister, Joanna, told New! magazine: "Belle Amie get on amazingly with One Direction. They're really close. Rebecca and Niall Horan are both from Ireland, so they've been coming home together and they've really bonded.

"He even came to her 21st birthday party. They met on 'The X Factor' but have been good friends since then, and both the families have met each other. I'm sure he fancies her."

Belle Amie found themselves close to leaving the show on Sunday (17.10.10) - when they were one of the three acts with the lowest votes - but were saved in the sing off against duo Diva Fever.

After the show the girls - also consisting of Esther Campbell, Geneva Lane and Sophia Wardman - vowed they would make every effort to make their personalities shine through more in coming weeks.

They wrote on twitter: "From TONIGHT we're gona be US!! No more conforming we're gona wear what we wana wear and be the REAL us! NEVER be someone your not xx (sic)."